haircut

noun

hair·​cut ˈher-ˌkət 

plural haircuts

1

: the act or process of cutting and shaping the hair

I need a haircut.

This is a great story for any kid who is worried about getting a haircut.

—Jenny Williams

2

: the way in which someone's hair is cut and shaped

a short haircut

a stylish haircut

Taylor Swift uploaded an Instagram video of herself getting a bob haircut in London in front of a group of cheering people.

—Meirav Devash

3

finance : a reduction in the value of an asset

… El Paso's shareholders could be all but wiped out and bondholders could take a big haircut.

—William P. Barrett

Square revealed Friday pricing at $11 to $13 a share for its anticipated IPO, giving the tech company at most a $4.2 billion valuation—at least a 30% haircut from its most recent valuation in the private market.

—Todd C. Frankel

Greece's finance minister has told lawmakers he sees three scenarios to resolve the debt crisis, including one involving an orderly default with a 50 percent haircut for bondholders, two Greek newspapers reported on Friday.

—Reuters

haircutter

ˈher-ˌkə-tər 

noun

plural haircutters

haircutting

ˈher-ˌkə-tiŋ 

noun

Synonyms

• coiffure
• cut
• do
• hairdo
• hairstyle

Examples of haircut in a Sentence

The girls got haircuts yesterday.

He just had a haircut.

Do you like my haircut?

Recent Examples on the Web

Overalls with one snap undone, the Rachel haircut, grunge, Beanie Babies, tamagotchis, and George Foreman Grills. —John Phillips, Orange County Register, 19 Feb. 2025

Another photo compilation shows off his haircuts – flat tops and fades, with swooshes and angular designs. —Lauren Villagran, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2025

Additionally, Skinny Love’s Barber Shop is commemorated not just as a place for haircuts but also as a center for mentorship and community connections. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 13 Feb. 2025

Mellencamp appeared to be in good spirits ahead of her procedure, posting videos of her pre-operation haircut on her Instagram Stories. —Doha Madani, NBC News, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1848, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

haircut

noun

hair·​cut -ˌkət 

1

: the act or process of cutting and shaping the hair

2

: hairdo

haircutter

-ˌkət-ər 

noun

haircutting

-ˌkət-iŋ 

noun